FORTY years ago, steam fans were in mourning when the great coal-powered locomotives were withdrawn from mainline operations.

The mighty No 70013 Oliver Cromwell pulled the last British Rail steam-hauled service on August 11, 1968 - the 15 Guinea Special from Liverpool to Carlisle.

It ushered in the era of faster diesel and electric-powered trains, but the romance and the style of steam has always been fondly remembered.

To the fans' delight, the Oliver Cromwell is back in steam after a four-year restoration, and the centrepiece of an exhibition at the National Railway Museum, in York - 1968 And All That.

Although centred on steam's last days, the event celebrates the sweeping social changes that took place during the Swinging Sixties.

Among those gathered for the opening day of the exhibition were some of the men who worked on the Oliver Cromwell on its last trip.

Raymond Watton, from Blackburn, was a 27-year-old fireman on part of the journey and remembered it vividly.

Speaking as he stood beside the locomotive for the first time in 40 years, he said: "We were not picked deliberately. Our names were just on the roster for the trip.

"But it was a historic service - it was very noticeable from the sheer amount of people all around the line as we went along. It would have horrified the health and safety teams of today.

"It felt as if it happened only yesterday when I first saw the engine again today.

"I was glad to have been part of it, but things move on and I do not miss it. It was hard, hot and dirty work."

David Greenhalgh, 60, from Accrington, near Blackburn, was a fireman on part of the return run.

He said: "Roads were blocked with cars as the drivers had left them to catch a glimpse of this piece of history.

"It was as though a Royal visitor was on board. Fortunately for everyone, it was a sunny day, but I guess the crowds would still have gathered had it been raining."

The exhibition will run until Sunday. Museum entry is free, but tickets for the exhibition are £11 for adults, £7 for concessions and £29 for two adults and two children.

Discounts are on offer if booked on 0844-477-1000 or at ticketweb.co.uk.

The museum's website is nrm.

org.uk